A Norwegian company commissioned by Cyprus government will continues its oil exploration in Mediteranean Sea despite an escalating spat between the island state and neighboring Turkey, a Cypriot minister said on Thursday.
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has accused Turkey of harassing oil research vessels operating within its exclusive economic zone, warning this will harm the ongoing reunification talks with Turkish Cypriots.
Antonis Paschalides, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister of Cyprus, said they will go on with their exploration program.
We are exercising the sovereign rights of Republic of Cyprus. We will not stop, nor will we give our rights to anyone," he told reporters after a meeting with Syrian Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Sufian Allaw.
Cyprus has signed agreements with Egypt and Lebanon on the delimitation of undersea borders to facilitate oil and gas exploration after initial seismic findings show possible hydrocarbons in its economic zone. Nicosia hopes it will reach a similar deal with Syria.
The visiting Syrian Minister said they have good relations with both Cyprus and Turkey, adding Syria is seeking further cooperation in the field of oil and gas exploitation to the benefits of all the peoples in the Mediteranean area.
Turkey has no diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cyprus, instead it supports, economically and militarily the breakaway "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus."
Ankara says some seabed blocks the Greek Cypriot side wants to explore and exploit are on its continental shelf. Last month, its warships turned several research vessels back to Cypriot territorial water.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot side, involved in reunification talks with Greek Cypriot leader Christofias, has maintained that they should have their share of possible offshore oil and gas.
Source:Xinhua
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